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The Honky Tonk Angels preview

Raleigh Little Theatre will present The Honky Tonk Angels, Ted Swindleys musical about a trio of aspiring country-music singers who pursue their dream in Nashville a.k.a. Music City, Aug. 4-6, 10-13, 17-20, and 24-27 in RLTs Cantey V. Sutton Theatre. Long-time RLT artistic director Haskell Fitz-Simons will direct a cast that includes Alison Lawrence as Angela, Lucy Howard as Darlene, and Tina Vance as Sue Ellen. These three wannabe country-music divasa housewife from Texas, a West Virginia hillbilly transplanted to the Mississippi Delta, and a citified Texas country girl now living in Los Angeles, respectivelytake a bus to Nashville, join a blue-grass band, and perform classic country songs at semi-seedy nightclub called Hillbilly Heaven.

RLTs audition notice describes the characters as follows:

Angela [is] a Texas housewife [in her mid-thirties] with a strong personality and a bear trap wit. She is trapped in a marriage to a man who expects his wife to be the barefoot-and-pregnant type. Well, that aint going but so far with Angela! She is a real earth-mother comedienne type with a huge voice. Some of the songs she sings include: Stand by Your Man, Harper Valley PTA, and Almost Persuaded.

Darlene [is] a still-waters-run-deep sort of gal [in her early twenties]. She grew up in a coal-mining town in West Virginia and, when the mines played out, moved with her family to share-crop in the Mississippi Delta. She is pretty, sweet, and a little vulnerable, and a killer vocalist. (It would be a plus if she could play some simple guitar). Some of the songs she sings include: Coal Miners Daughter, Ode to Billy Joe, I Believe in Music, and Calling All Angels.

Sue Ellen [is] a citified country girl [in late thirties or early forties], transplanted from Texas to the jungles of Los Angeles, she is twice divorced (and carries the scars to prove it) and trapped in a meaningless office job in a heartless environment. She is smart as a whip, attractive and frustrated. (She might also twirl batons and roller skate). And, of course, she has an amazing voice! Some of her songs include: 9 to 5, Rocky Top, [and] Cleopatra, Queen of Denial.

According to Ted Swindley Productions, Inc.:

Move over Charlies Angels, here come The Honky Tonk Angels! This new musical comedy is by the author of the hit musical Always ... Patsy Cline. Come with us on a rollicking and touching journey which celebrates the womans voice in country music through the years, from the classics of Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Kitty Wells, up to the contemporary favorites by the likes of Dolly Parton and Pam Tillis.

You will experience these great songs through the eyes of three country gals who meet on a bus while on their way to Nashville following the Music City dream and become a popular singing group.

Romance, husband problems, independence, and a little gospel thrown in for good measure result in a thrilling theatrical mixture of laughter, friendship and maybe a tear or two. Stand by Your Man, Coal Miners Daughter, 9 To 5, and Harper Valley PTA are just a few of the hits that you will experience on the wings of The Honky Tonk Angels.

In addition to director Haskell Fitz-Simons, who doubles as sound designer for The Honky Tonk Angels, the RLT creative team includes technical director Roger Bridges, musical director Diane Petteway, choreographer Carrie Santiago, scenic designer Neal Williamson, lighting designer Roger Bridges, costume designer Vicki Olson, properties mistress Ruth Berry, and stage manager Keith Bugner.

In reviewing a previous production of The Honky Tonk Angels, Sherri L. Shaulis of Morgantown, WV Dominion Post wrote, Done in more of a revue style as opposed to a traditional piece of musical theater, [The Honky Tonk Angels] gives each of the actresses a chance to shine on at least two really strong solos as well as a number of medleys. If you were smart enough to catch Always ... Patsy Cline ..., which was also created by Swindley, make a point of checking out The Honky Tonk Angels.

Raleigh Little Theatre presents The Honky Tonk Angels Friday-Saturday, Aug. 4-5, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 6, at 3 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 10-12, 17-19, and 24-26, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 13, 20, and 27, at 3 p.m. in its Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, 301 Pogue St., Raleigh, North Carolina. $17 Thursday/Friday/Sunday ($13 students and seniors 62+) and $21 Saturday, except $10 Aug. 6th. 919/821-3111 or click here. Note: Assistive listening devices are available for all shows, and all shows are wheelchair accessible. Raleigh Little Theatre: http://www.raleighlittletheatre.org/performances/honkytonkangels.html. Ted Swindley Productions, Inc.: http://www.tedswindleyproductions.com/angels.htm.


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